WATT POULTRY USA ❙ 25
birds are not able to produce the enzymes
necessary to liquefy the fibrinous lesion,
the lesion can persist for several weeks even
though the infection has been resolved. If
the infection becomes generalized, the
bird usually succumbs quickly and dies or
will be condemned as septicemia/toxemia.
If birds are removed from the processing
line for airsacculitis and the exudate is
confined to the chest and kidney regions,
then the entire carcass should be vacuumed
to remove all exudate and the kidneys
should also be removed if adjacent air sac
membranes show evidence of airsacculitis.
If the membranes are cloudy, but there is
no exudate, this condition is related to an
irritation that can be caused by several
factors, including stress, heat and panting
(Figure 1).
Inflammatory process is caused by
scratches and usually involves the flank
region. Inflammatory process in this area
can be removed by quartering the carcass.
Occasionally, the breast tissue is involved
and at times can be quite extensive. In some
cases, it may not be possible to salvage all
unaffected portions, although any unaffected portions would be eligible for salvage. When necessary, affected carcasses
may be vatted until appropriate measures
are taken to remove OCPs as long as time
and temperature guidelines are followed. If
contamination is present, carcasses should
be washed prior to vatting.
Cellulitis or inflammatory
process
Cellulitis
or inflammatory process
refers to inf la m mation
Figure 2. Cellulitis
of connective
t issue wit h
severe inflammation of the dermal and
subcutaneous layers of the skin. When
birds pile up in a chicken house because
of inequalities in temperature or because
something scares them, they can scratch
each other by jumping on each other's
backs. When this occurs, an opening in
June 2012 ❙ www.WATTAgNet.com

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